William Tecumseh Sherman’s letter

In 1890, William Dempster Hoard, received a letter from the Civil War general, William Tecumseh Sherman thanking him for the birthday wishes received from Governor Hoard and expounding upon the wonderful State of Wisconsin. General Sherman was partial to our state, enjoying not only its topography but its excellent hunting.

Sherman also recalled a conversation with the Governor from the prior year where he cited a strong resemblance in both “form and manner” between Hoard and Abraham Lincoln, hoping that Hoard never found himself facing tragic events similar to those of Lincoln’s life. His final words were a compliment to the men of Wisconsin who served in the Civil War. He believed them to be members of some of the best regiments he ever commanded.

This historic document aired on the radio as an Historic Minute on 08/22/2005.